In this current economy there are many things we would perhaps like to do, but find impossible due to finances. One of those might be a complete redesign of our living room/ great room. It is possible to achieve a â€œnew lookâ€ for a very reasonable amount of money.

Here are a few ideas to help you achieve this:

First and foremost, assess your current furniture. Look at it objectively and think about the possibility of rearranging it. Sometimes that can make a dramatic change in the room, but only if it works from a practical standpoint. Rearranging solely to make a change makes no sense, but often it can make a vast improvement and give you an entirely different feeling in the space.

Secondly, one of the most effective and inexpensive ways of giving you the â€œnew lookâ€ that youâ€™re after, is to paint. Yes, thatâ€™s right, something as simple (easy for me to say because Iâ€™m not doing it!) as painting. If you glance thru my website, youâ€™ll see that although rooms may be painted a light color, they are almost never white or off white. All designers are different in their approach to color. Some like stark white. I personally prefer a softer color with more warmth and character. I also think itâ€™s an opportunity for you to make your own individual statement.

Additionally, think about changing small items that can also make a huge impact. Some of these might be: something as simple as recovering current throw pillows with a new fabric, getting a few new accessories and adding some artwork. Next to paint, that always makes the biggest impact. Donâ€™t panic and think dollar signs. Posters and prints can be extremely effective! I would look online and also be sure to check out museum websites. They have a terrific selection. You also donâ€™t have to spend a fortune framing them. You can get them â€œmuseum mountedâ€, which means the posters are basically backed, wrapped and ready to hang. Or, you can opt to get a ready made frame at a local store. The change that it will make in your room is still very dramatic. Think â€œlargeâ€ when you select your art. It will be far more effective and make much more of a difference in the room.

Also, depending upon where you live, and the resources available to you, perhaps you may consider hiring a professional for an hourly consultation in your home. Many offer that service with no additional commitments necessary. It might be a wise investment to get their input about the arrangement of your furniture, paint color possibilities, and any other suggestions. It could give you a direction, some creative ideas and be money very well spent. It doesnâ€™t hurt to inquire and see what it may cost. It could help you to achieve what youâ€™re after, which is a new look without spending a lot of money.